Join Early Retirement Today
View Poll Results: What type of health insurance are you purchasing using post RE and pre medicare
No insurance 2 2.74%
HDHP with subsidy 10 13.70%
HMO with subsidy 4 5.48%
PPO with subsidy 3 4.11%
silver with subsidy 12 16.44%
gold with subsidy 0 0%
platinum with subsidy 0 0%
Employer plan with subsidy 14 19.18%
HDHP without subsidy 6 8.22%
HMO without subsidy 1 1.37%
PPO without subsidy 5 6.85%
silver without subsidy 2 2.74%
gold without subsidy 2 2.74%
platinum without subsidy 1 1.37%
Employer plan without subsidy 11 15.07%
Voters: 73. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Poll:Which type of health insurance do you use post RE
Old 11-05-2015, 06:25 AM   #1
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,509
Poll:Which type of health insurance do you use post RE

So what type (level) of insurance do you use between RE and Medicare. Also are you qualifying for subsidy (ACA or subsidized employer retirement healthcare). If you are willing, some explanation as to why you chose what you did. For me, I'm curious about the trade-off between getting a subsidy verse doing roth conversions up to the top of the 15% marginal bracket. I'm also curious about why pick a HDHP vs. Silver, Gold or other higher cost/benefit plan.
Plans listed on the poll as with subsidy are either employer or on marketplace plans. Without subsidy can be purchased on or off marketplace -- (I'm thinking more off marketplace, but did not separate all options... too many choices already)
bingybear is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 11-05-2015, 06:32 AM   #2
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 52
I retired with full medical and a shoddy dental and optical. My neighbor is navigating the whole bronze silver gold stuff he invited me over for coffe and to help him out, in my opinion you need graph paper and a Ph.D. To figure it out.
retiredinnyc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 06:33 AM   #3
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,509
for me, I'm presently using cobra... thus no subsidy employer plan. But this will only last so long. This is where my interest comes from. I need to figure out what to do when cobra ends mid year 2016
bingybear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 06:34 AM   #4
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Senator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Williston, FL
Posts: 3,925
I do not qualify for a subsidy.

I (age 56) will be using free VA Medical care, followed by a high-deductible bronze policy. Any healthcare that I use at the VA gets billed to the bronze policy, and starts to offset any deductible.

Fortunately, I do not have to pay any of the deductible when billed as part of VA Healthcare. So my Bronze policy could be similar to a platinum policy with $0 deductible, depending on when (or if) I use it.

The DGF (age 45) will qualify for an almost free policy via Minnesotacare. It will include dental, vision, healthcare, pharmacy, etc. for $20 a month.
__________________
FIRE no later than 7/5/2016 at 56 (done), securing '16 401K match (done), getting '15 401K match (done), LTI Bonus (done), Perf bonus (done), maxing out 401K (done), picking up 1,000 hours to get another year of pension (done), July 1st benefits (vacation day, healthcare) (done), July 4th holiday. 0 days left. (done) OFFICIALLY RETIRED 7/5/2016!!
Senator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 07:09 AM   #5
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
audreyh1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Rio Grande Valley
Posts: 38,012
Confusing selection - there are bronze, silver, and gold. There are PPOs, HMOs. Any may be HDHP or not. None of these are mutually exclusive. For example, I'll probably do the same as other years (if I can find one) - an unsubsidized bronze PPO which is HSA compatible - meaning that it is also an HDHP.

But in addition to bronze there are silver HMOs, gold HMOs, silver PPOs, gold PPOs, etc. Some silver level may even qualify as an HDHP - I believe I saw at least one of those the first year I looked.
__________________
Retired since summer 1999.
audreyh1 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 07:26 AM   #6
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,054
You should add an "Other" category. NY has plans for <200 FPL that are not metal plans, they are BHP plans. Also no choice for Medicaid.
jim584672 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 07:39 AM   #7
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County
Posts: 1,432
Retiree Medical subsidized by employer for me. Standard BCBS PPO plan with my contribution about $70/month (would have been 0 if I'd been able to last 30 years in my job, but it was worth it to leave a couple years early). No dental or vision care, though.
stepford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 07:39 AM   #8
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,963
TriCare. You can call it "Former employer provided insurance", or some form of Government Single Payer program. I've had both responses
razztazz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 07:44 AM   #9
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
John Galt III's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,782
Silver PPO with prem subsidy and cost sharing. I need to do Roth coversion of a few thousand to get me MAGI up over FPL to qualify for ACA. A few years ago I was in HDHP plan paying $230 a month, never used it (which is good, I guess) .
John Galt III is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 07:45 AM   #10
Full time employment: Posting here.
Silver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Orlando, Fl
Posts: 950
Quote:
Originally Posted by audreyh1 View Post
Confusing selection - there are bronze, silver, and gold. There are PPOs, HMOs. Any may be HDHP or not. None of these are mutually exclusive. For example, I'll probably do the same as other years (if I can find one) - an unsubsidized bronze PPO which is HSA compatible - meaning that it is also an HDHP.

But in addition to bronze there are silver HMOs, gold HMOs, silver PPOs, gold PPOs, etc. Some silver level may even qualify as an HDHP - I believe I saw at least one of those the first year I looked.
There are also EPO's which are exclusive provider organizations with no benefits if an out of network provider is used. I have a BCBS Bronze EPO with a huge provider network that works well. I like it better than a HMO because no referrals are needed to see a specialist.
__________________
"Some people describe themselves as being able to see things as a glass half full. For some, the glass is half empty. Me? I can't even find the f***king glass."
Silver
Silver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 08:58 AM   #11
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: westerville
Posts: 262
DW and I in 2014 was on a Bronze PPO Plan HSA Compatible $6K per person deductible $12K family max with subsidy income 30K was $179 month. Due to needing a sleep study for apnea in 2015 we moved to a Silver with cost share and subsidies. PPO plan $2K per person deductible $2K family max cost $379 month on 30K income.
Looking at plans 2016 it looks like we need to move to HMO or POS plan as PPO plans have skyrocketed The same bronze plan from 2014 is now $307 up from $179 and our 2015 Silver plan is discontinued for 2016 and replacement plan now $440 per month and deductibles went up.
Trawler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 09:06 AM   #12
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,509
Quote:
Originally Posted by audreyh1 View Post
Confusing selection - there are bronze, silver, and gold. There are PPOs, HMOs. Any may be HDHP or not. None of these are mutually exclusive. For example, I'll probably do the same as other years (if I can find one) - an unsubsidized bronze PPO which is HSA compatible - meaning that it is also an HDHP.

But in addition to bronze there are silver HMOs, gold HMOs, silver PPOs, gold PPOs, etc. Some silver level may even qualify as an HDHP - I believe I saw at least one of those the first year I looked.
I'm not sure I've seen a sliver or above HDHP, not that they don't exist. My HDHP is a POS. So many acronyms. Sorry for the confusion. I just wasn't quite sure how to best divide up all the plans and subsidies. With all I put up... I still missed some.
The goal or hope if to learn what trades people are making among plan levels, subsidies vs roth conversion and other factors that I likely haven't considered.
bingybear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 09:12 AM   #13
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,509
Quote:
Originally Posted by jim584672 View Post
You should add an "Other" category. NY has plans for <200 FPL that are not metal plans, they are BHP plans. Also no choice for Medicaid.
not sure how to modify the poll at this point. Any ideas?
bingybear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 10:03 AM   #14
Moderator
rodi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 14,171
Quote:
Originally Posted by audreyh1 View Post
Confusing selection - there are bronze, silver, and gold. There are PPOs, HMOs. Any may be HDHP or not. None of these are mutually exclusive. For example, I'll probably do the same as other years (if I can find one) - an unsubsidized bronze PPO which is HSA compatible - meaning that it is also an HDHP.

But in addition to bronze there are silver HMOs, gold HMOs, silver PPOs, gold PPOs, etc. Some silver level may even qualify as an HDHP - I believe I saw at least one of those the first year I looked.
+1

I didn't answer the poll because it was a big hot mess. (No offense - but it didn't adequately group the categories.)

FWIW - My kids and I are on an HSA compatible HDHP HMO, bronze level purchased through the exchange. My husband is on a similar HSA compatible HDHP HMO with a different network. We are forgoing subsidies up front, even though we qualify, because I couldn't have 2 separate plans and get the subsidy in the lovely CoveredCA world. So I'll get my hefty tax credit when I file my taxes and the government gets a nice interest free loan.
__________________
Retired June 2014. No longer an enginerd - now I'm just a nerd.
micro pensions 6%, rental income 20%
rodi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 10:07 AM   #15
Moderator Emeritus
W2R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,474
I worked for two extra years past FI until I qualified for retiree medical insurance. The cost was/is identical to what those still working there are paying for the same group health insurance. That is why I chose what I did. I am happy with what I already have so when Obamacare came along I didn't switch.

So, I chose "employer plan with subsidy". Nothing to do with Obamacare subsidies, though.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.

Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
W2R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 10:10 AM   #16
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,509
Quote:
Originally Posted by W2R View Post
I worked for two extra years past FI until I qualified for retiree medical insurance. The cost was/is identical to what those still working there are paying for the same group health insurance.

So, I chose "employer plan with subsidy". Nothing to do with Obamacare subsidies, though.
This is what I intended that choice to mean unless you are paying the full insurance payment. Many employers pay some of the expense which is a subsidized plan by the employer.

thanks
bingybear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 10:14 AM   #17
Moderator Emeritus
W2R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,474
Quote:
Originally Posted by bingybear View Post
This is what I intended that choice to mean unless you are paying the full insurance payment. Many employers pay some of the expense which is a subsidized plan by the employer.

thanks
Oh good! Yes, my employer pays much of the expense. Thanks.

By now I am 67 and on Medicare, and paying for Part B plus still paying the same for my same retiree insurance which is fine with me since my health care costs are higher now. But anyway this is what I did during the gap between ER and Medicare. I would probably do the same if I was retiring today.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.

Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
W2R is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 10:17 AM   #18
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Sojourner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,581
I don't qualify for a subsidy and have a bronze-level PPO plan currently. In retrospect, a bad decision due to some some large, unexpected medical bills this year, but at the time I simply chose the plan with the least expensive monthly premium where my primary care doctor was in-network. For 2016 I am switching to an HDHP and setting up an HSA.
Sojourner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 10:39 AM   #19
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,366
HSA eligible HDHP, preferably PPO but may have to go with HMO for 2016, Bronze level. If you look at your cost at various levels of medical spending the HDHP tends to be cheaper over a wide range of possibilities. Certainly if you don't expect to have any medical expenses the HDHP plans usually have the lowest premiums. But even if you add in the max OOP they can sometimes beat the lower deductible plans, or at least come very close. Plus you get what is effectively a tax deductible Roth account that you can contribute to without earned income. Seems like a pretty easy choice as long as you don't let the high deductible frighten you.
Animorph is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2015, 02:13 PM   #20
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
audreyh1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Rio Grande Valley
Posts: 38,012
Quote:
Originally Posted by Animorph View Post
HSA eligible HDHP, preferably PPO but may have to go with HMO for 2016, Bronze level. If you look at your cost at various levels of medical spending the HDHP tends to be cheaper over a wide range of possibilities. Certainly if you don't expect to have any medical expenses the HDHP plans usually have the lowest premiums. But even if you add in the max OOP they can sometimes beat the lower deductible plans, or at least come very close. Plus you get what is effectively a tax deductible Roth account that you can contribute to without earned income. Seems like a pretty easy choice as long as you don't let the high deductible frighten you.
Many of the non HSA plans have the same high deductible or close, and similar max OOPs. You might get some help with a few initial copays, but if any serious bills start coming in there won't be much difference.
__________________
Retired since summer 1999.
audreyh1 is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Poll: Will you need/use an ACA subsidy for health insurance? LOL! Health and Early Retirement 53 11-10-2014 06:45 AM
Cataract Surgery...which type of lens? TrvlBug Health and Early Retirement 64 02-23-2014 10:58 PM
which company should i use for my 403b? can't use vanguard. check out my choices dooo42 FIRE and Money 8 12-04-2010 01:16 PM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:06 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.